A big majority of millennials in the GCC are increasingly concerned about the effects of global warming on the climate and its damaging impact in the future, a new study said.

Global warming is seen as a problem for almost all respondents (92 per cent), who also think that the environment is under a bigger threat today than 20 years ago (92 per cent), according to the survey conducted by global research firm YouGov.

The survey aimed to better understand how they perceive the connection between the climate and the job market, and above all to better identify their expectations regarding the stakeholders who are shaping today’s world, which they will inherit tomorrow.

Even with the majority of respondents sharing the opinion that global warming is an important issue and 64 per cent believing a solution can be found, fighting against global warming is not the first future priority for many with just 6 per cent considering it a top priority and only 20 per cent regarding the fight against global warming as one of their top three priorities for the future.

“It is encouraging to see that 9 out 10 millennials in the GCC are concerned about the environment and they remain cautiously optimistic that solutions could still be found to counter the issues.” YouGov’s managing director Kailash Nagdev said.

“The young are leading the way by making cautious choices in terms of career paths and companies they work for, that could help them work on some of these solutions.”

About 77 per cent of respondents believe that a commitment to green growth and the implementation of measures to reduce greenhouse gases will improve the economic and job situation in the GCC, with most agreeing that it is possible to combine material progress and environmental protection (81 per cent).

More than half of respondents (52 per cent) believe that their education has prepared them sufficiently to face tomorrow's challenges, particularly challenges concerning global warming. 8 in 10 believe that global warming will change the nature of existing jobs (new skills, new partnerships, etc.) and 64 per cent believe that Global warming will destroy existing jobs.

Nearly 56 per cent of respondents indicated that contributing to the fight against global warming is one of their career goals and a factor in their choice of job or profession. Wage/level of income is the most important criteria when considering an employment opportunity for almost one quarter (24 per cent), however the employer's commitment to the protection of the environment and fight against global warming is the most important criteria for only 7 per cent of respondents.

When it comes to who exactly young people of the GCC trust to help solve the global warming problem 87 per cent trust Scientists and experts, 82 per cent trust Schools and universities, 77 per cent trust NGOs and other charitable/humanitarian organizations and 74 per cent trust their government to protect the environment. Conversely only 50 per cent of respondents trust the businesses and to step up and help in protecting the environment.

“The above combined with lack of trust in the companies signals that organisations willing that genuinely care about the environment would be the brand of choice for employment and purchasing decisions for the millennial work force,” said Nagdev. - TradeArabia News Service